Group believes federal transit funding could save STC

The group “Stop the Cuts” believes federal transit funding could save the Saskatchewan Transportation Company.

The Federal Government announced 20.1-billion dollars in transit funding for the next 11 years in this year’s budget.

Peter Garden is with “Stop the Cuts.”

He says the money could go a long way to help cover the reported 85-million dollars in subsidies to operate the service over the next 5 years.

“We believe a deal could be negotiated,” said Garden. “And there could be significant savings by investing in new, smaller vehicles for transporting people on the smaller routes that were less used. And efficiencies could be found that way.”

“Stop the Cuts” is asking people across the province to contact their local MLA, Regina Liberal MP Ralph Goodale, and Federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau about negotiating a funding deal to save the STC.

In the meantime, a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Government responded to the suggestion via an email to the media.

In part, the email states the wind-down of STC will continue.

” With respect to Stop the Cuts claim federal funding should be pursued, STC does not fit the federal government transportation criteria,” said the Saskatchewan Government spokesperson. “That said, if Stop the Cuts is interested in starting its own passenger service, we would encourage them to make the appropriate application to the Highway Traffic Board. We would note that passengers could be enjoying seamless transportation service at this point by interested companies if not for opposition to their operating authority certificate applications.”